Conservation groups are an easy, but incorrect, target

To the editor:

In Ed Zwirn’s August 26 story, “Delaware residents flood meeting with rain complaints,” Highway Superintendent Bill Eschenberg is quoted saying, “conservation groups and state officials are to blame for the failure to dredge out the mouth of Joe Brook.”

I have a nickel in my pocket to bet that Mr. Eschenberg cannot name a single conservation group that opposed any dredging of Joe Brook. Are you a betting man sir? Furthermore, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has no active application from the Town of Delaware to dredge the mouth of Joe Brook. If the Highway Superintendent wants to do so he must first make an application to do the work. Jack Isaacs of the DEC has allowed the town to do this in the past. So the brook was not dredged because no application had been made, not because of any failure on the part of the DEC, or interference in town affairs by “conservation groups.”

Town of Highland Board outdoes itself

To the editor:

On Tuesday evening, August 31, the Town of Highland Town Board held a public hearing regarding the new proposed DPW town maintenance building for 1.5 million dollars; this meeting did not go well! The many taxpayers who spoke, made it abundantly clear that the arrogance of the board and the right to vote on the single largest bond issue the town has ever undertaken are not considered in the residents’ best interest.

A forced vote, thru the permissive referendum process, was mounted in July to bring this issue to the voters, rather than letting the board decide our fate for the next 30 years. This vote is scheduled for September 9. The town board has used statutes in New York Municipal Law, #84-2 and #84-a, to prevent our military men and women serving in many parts of the world, the old and infirmed who cannot get out to vote, the people who are away on business or vacation, and the “working people” of this community that must travel odd hours to meet employment commitments to feed their families; they have been denied the right to absentee ballots. What this means is they simply cannot or will not be able to vote. I personally have never seen an election or proposition on a ballot that absentee ballots were not allowed.

Although the town board, an elected one I might add, allows everyone to vote for them; they are allowed to disenfranchise the voting public for their own purposes. My personal disappointment in the board is on public record. They opted to prevent the equal opportunity for all to vote. Our previous supervisor, Andrew Boyer, although we had many differences, was a fair and just person, and would never, in my opinion, put the public and board at such odds.

The concept of combining this town maintenance building with the Eldred Central School bus garage has some merit, if it is not an attempt to circumvent a failed school budget vote for, coincidentally, $1.5 million dollars that was defeated last year. Because the Eldred board president, Bob Burrows, sits on the Highland Town Board, brings, not legal but ethical, questions to bear on his ability to make impartial decisions. He doesn’t vote on issues, as a town board member, that involve snow removal by the town on school properties, but he sees no problem with voting, as a town board member, on a $1.5 million town project that can benefit the school. Admittedly, this is a “gray area” of interpretation, however, refusal to consider not voting on this issue, as both a town councilman and simultaneously the Eldred Central School board president leaves many in the community wondering.

Several citizens spoke of the cost of the DPW building the actual facilities inside the building, and the need for additional space by the school. Adequate explanation for rental fees, state reimbursement to the school, and inability to enter into long-term financial agreements by the school, for a joint facility, leave many gaps and potential financial problems—all for the taxpayers to work out and bear the burden. Maybe we do need the building, maybe we do need an improved school maintenance facility. Maybe the cost and right to vote on these issues should be considered in a democratic society?

Lending a hand in an emergency

To the editor:

Having witnessed, first hand, the devastation brought by massive flooding this week in Westerbrookville and the surrounding area, my heart goes out to all who have suffered through this disaster. I believe that it is a divine miracle that there was no loss of life.

And for that miracle, I must also credit the heroic efforts put forth by Emergency Medical Service (EMS) responders and firefighters who appeared in the heart of the storm to protect those victims who couldn’t protect themselves. At least 40 county Department of Public Works personnel ventured out in the dangerous weather to work around the clock for the safety of complete strangers. There is no way to tally the number of lives saved by their actions just as there is no training to prepare them for the destruction and peril they faced that night. They showed up, did the job and stuck around in the following days to clean up and ensure no one was missing or forgotten. I am deeply grateful to them all!

In the aftermath, other Sullivan County groups reported to the scene to render aid. The Ladies Auxiliary of Mamakating, Red Cross workers, local officials and many others were on hand to offer whatever assistance was necessary. In fact, Leisure Time Water had a truck of fresh water at the scene the very next morning. The people of Sullivan County have responded with strong arms, resolute purpose and open hearts in their neighbors’ time of need.

Now, with the images of homes lost and roads washed away fresh in my mind, I pledge that I, and my colleagues on the Sullivan County Legislature, will do everything in our power to help rebuild the dreams that were washed away, but not erased, by the flooding. And we will work with local municipalities to strongly petition for state and federal aid for the victims.

On the morning of the floods I saw Mother Nature’s fury unleashed and it was humbling. In the days following I saw Sullivan County’s heart revealed and it was overwhelming.

Disaster relief help is needed

To the editor:

I just wanted to let you all know what is happening in Florida. I arrived on the disaster operation last Wednesday. The Red Cross operation has been working hard on helping the folks affected by Hurricane Charley since it hit on August 13. I am proud to say that our chapter has sent three of our best volunteers down here to do their part.

I have never seen such devastation! Every morning and evening I drive from my hotel in Sarasota to Pine Island where I am managing a Service Center for the 500 families affected on this island alone. As l drive my two hours each way, I see a 25 miles swath of wreckage through the Charlotte County area. I am not complaining about my commute as there are a lot of Red Cross workers who are staying in staff shelter. I am thankful at least I have a room!

I am working with a group of 28 Red Cross Volunteers from around the country. The dedication of these folks is wonderful. It is difficult to get them to take breaks during their 14 hours days. We are working out of an air-conditioned (smile) 60-by-60 -foot tent. It’s a challenging situation in 90 degree weather!

I can’t make this too long as I need to get back to work—but I want you to know that we need your help. We need to raise money to support our Disaster Relief Fund so that our volunteers can continue to provide the vitally needed emergency assistance to disaster victims! You can call 1-800-HELP NOW or go online to redcross.org and make a donation, I know your contribution will be put to good use!

Please keep us all in your thoughts!

Operating on faulty intelligence

To the editor:

Our President has said that he had faulty intelligence data in claiming that Iraq held weapons of mass destruction for which we needed to go to war to eliminate. Recently, I’ve begun reading the book, “Against All Enemies” by Richard Clarke, Bush’s former counterterrorism czar. He quotes President Bush, speaking to Clarke himself just after the tragedy of 9/11: “I know you have a lot to do and all…but I want you…to go back over everything, everything. See if Saddam did this. See if he’s linked in any way.”

When Clarke then explained, “But, Mr. President, al Qaeda did this,” Bush replied, “I know, but…see if Saddam was involved. Just look I want to know any shred…”

Clarke then explained, again, that they had looked “several times” for links to Iraq and found none. Bush again “testily” stated, “Look into Iraq, Saddam,” and ended the conversation.

From where did this insistence come for going after the wrong country? Some have speculated that Bush was seeking vengeance for the attempt made by Saddam on his father’s life. Others have suggested that it was about oil, or plain and simple U.S. imperialism, or at least about gaining a toehold in the Middle East. Clarke, however, points out that Secretary Rumsfeld earlier had complained (undoubtedly to Bush himself, it would seem) “...that there were no decent military targets for bombing in Afghanistan and that we should consider bombing Iraq, which, he said, had better targets”.

Clarke wrote that at first, he thought Rumsfeld was joking!

Do you, the reader, get this? Isn’t this a bit like the classic story of looking for your car keys under the street light, where you can see better, although you in fact lost them in the middle of the block, where it’s too dark? What sort of bizarre decision-making is this, anyway?

I’m writing this as President Bush finishes his acceptance speech at the Republican convention, during which he praised the liberation of Iraq. The wrong country, invaded without proper U.N. support, in his search for al Qaeda. And a thousand U.S. servicemen and women, as well as many more thousands of Iraqis—many of them civilians—have paid the ultimate price for this so-called faulty intelligence. Meanwhile, Bush made no mention whatsoever, in his speech, of bin Laden, the supposed original enemy who masterminded the 9/11 tragedy. What is that about?

And you, President Bush, ask us to follow you for four more years?

Bush or Kerry will lead us into the future

To the editor:

At no time in our history have we, as a nation, had two men with such different philosophies, representing different visions for America. Both Bush and Kerry are decent men.

Forget you are a Republican or a Democrat and focus on what either man will do for America if elected.

What is in your heart? What do you feel is the right direction for America?

Following November’s election, a liberal or a conservative will direct this country. What will this mean for America?

Something not being considered is the appointment of federal judges. Federal judges are lifetime appointments. Long after either Bush or Kerry are gone the federal judge appointments will continue to affect every man, woman and child.

Make no mistake about it, Bush will fight to appoint conservative federal judges. Kerry will fight just as hard to appoint liberal judges. I think we can all agree on that.

President Clinton fought to bring the national Democratic Party towards the middle. Despite fierce opposition he succeeded and won the election. After his election, with fierce pressure by the national Democratic Party leadership, the federal judges appointed by him were liberal. I’m sure there are those of you that like where these liberal federal judges are taking us and there are those of you, like me, who want conservative judges appointed to protect certain values that have kept America great.

If you agree liberal federal judges are needed to remove the phrase “under God” from the pledge, then Kerry is your man. If you felt good about the judge in Alabama that was removed from the bench by a liberal court after he refused to remove the Ten Commandments from the courthouse then Kerry is your man. If you think removal of anything that reminds us of our creator such as manger scenes or the Lord’s Prayer, in God we trust, or similar cornerstones we have known and loved should be removed from all public buildings, courthouses or public squares is the right thing to do then Kerry is your man. If you feel Christ doesn’t belong in our schools or even in Christmas then Kerry is your man.

If you would like your grandchildren to have the same kind of traditional wedding that your grandparents had then Bush is your man.

If you feel it is time we brought Christ back into our schools and into our lives then Bush is your man.

I know in my heart, George Bush is best for the future of America and I will vote for Bush.

If you feel in your heart John Kerry is best for the future of America then vote for him.

God bless America is something we can continue to say if Bush is elected.

Francis T. Golden

Some past work experience:

— ran for Congress and lost.

— bought an oil company, which went bankrupt after he sold all his stock.

— was elected Governor of Texas, with his father’s help and name.

— relaxed pollution laws to favor power and oil companies and bankrupted the Texas government like he has done to the United States.

— was selected President by a dishonorable U.S. Supreme Court after he lost the popular vote. (This in effect disenfranchised every vote cast by United States citizens who had voted for Al Gore.

Some presidential accomplishments:

— shattered all past annual deficits with his $374 billion deficit in 2003. (As of January 19, 2004, each citizen’s share of the national debt was $23,920.)

— set the highest record for private bankruptcies in any 12-month period.

— set an all-time record for the biggest drop in history of the stock market.

— set the highest record of 250 vacation days in his first year in office. He took the entire month of August off. You do remember what happened on September 11, 2001.

— is the first president since Herbert Hoover in 1929, that has had an overall job loss while in office.

— cut unemployment benefits for out-of-work Americans.

— refused to intervene in the biggest energy crisis in U.S. history.

— Cut healthcare benefits for war veterans. (Closed VA hospitals putting veterans on a waiting list.)

— has the Pentagon falsely report casualty tolls of Iraqi War. The death toll is closer to 2,500 and the wounded toll closer to 6,000.

— has been in charge of the most secretive and unaccountable administration in U.S. history.

— created the largest departmental bureaucracy in U.S. history. (And he said we don’t need more government.)

— ordered an attack and military occupation of a sovereign nation against the will of the United Nations and world community.

— is the first U.S. President to be viewed as a threat to world peace and stability. (Think about that.)

— successfully created the most divided U.S. in decades.

— took the world’s sympathy toward the U.S. and turned it into the biggest diplomatic failure.

— is the worst environmental president this nation has ever had. He recently relaxed controls on emissions so you and your children can live again in smog and acid rain.

— outlawed access to prescription drugs from Canada.

I have 20 more items that could be added to this President’s list of accomplishments but this is enough for the question, ”Why vote for President G. W. Bush? Duh?” Please vote for the nation’s future.

Congrats and kudos

To the editor:

This past week, from Thursday to Sunday, Monticello’s Bicentennial Celebration was a huge success. The congratulations begin with Les Kristt and his community call to action to participate, plan and execute our 200th birthday celebrations. The co-chairs and event chairpersons did a fabulous job in coordinating the events so the public could enjoy a first class event!

In addition, congratulations to the three governments, from the county preparation of the Courthouse and clock, to the town’s first-class hosting of the barbeque/concert/fireworks, to our local village department’s preparation to host the parade and family day. The spirit of cooperation is only the beginning and we will move forward building on the momentum created this weekend, to make our community a better place to live and work.

In addition, our civic clubs, business owners and volunteer organizations were invaluable in the execution and preparation of our big day!

If you haven’t done so, visit DeHoyos Park and see the work of our own Monticello Sullivan First’s effort to beautify the park. The Monticello Chamber of Commerce provided the flowers, flags and new parking signs to ready the village for our birthday!

Further, an, invaluable partner with the village were our volunteers from Daytop. Time and time again, they assist us in numerous projects to improve our existing facilities and lend a hand with events.

As mayor, business owner and resident, the events of the past weekend is a proud moment in our history and will pass the torch to the next generation to showcase our accomplishments in the next 50 years.

Once again, thanks to all who planned, participated and enjoyed the 200th centennial celebration.

Spirit of cooperation makes for a great event

To the editor:

Thanks you all for making the Village of Monticello 200th Birthday a bicentennial success. Forty hardy souls and a lot of donors worked for one year to give many people far and wide enjoyment on August 26 to 29. Even the weather smiled down on us.

We are all a little tired, yet proud of the many things that took place. Many people did so many things and doubled up on many committees. I wish to thank all of the hard workers, storeowners, village board members, and all the others for the spirit of cooperation that made everything run smoothly.

Les Kristt, our celebration chairman, says we are going to have a cast party on Wednesday, October 13. Where is not known at this time, but stay tuned. I will let you know. It will also be an accounting of the whole event. There’s still time to purchase a new or old journal, tee shirt, or special set of cacheted envelopes and a historical souvenir card from the Kristt Company, Cohen’s Bakery, The Keeping Room Gift Shop, Monticello Museum or me. For more information you can call 845/794-2586.

Put it in writing

To the editor:

My senior year of high school I discovered the personal touch of sending and receiving cards and letters. In our fast-food, instant-message, fax-it-now world, many people simply don’t take the time to reach out and touch someone with a personal letter. When you take the time to write a letter, it says so much to the recipient. It forces you to think about your friend or loved one, to revisit your memories and experiences, and to put those thoughts and emotions on paper. And that letter of love and support can be reread and enjoyed over and over again.

Letters are the next best thing to being there. Flowers bloom, but then die. Gifts can be expensive. Telephone calls are nice, but the words eventually evaporate. But for 37 cents a handwritten letter or a card delivers your love in a touching, lasting way.

Letters keep special times special. Problems tend to shrink and gain perspective when they are shared with family and friends by mail. When you sit down to write a friend, you are never alone.

When’s the last time you told someone how much they mean to you? Put your love in the mail. Write a letter. Send a card. Show your friends and loved ones you care.